Catoctin Creek’s Roundstone Rye
50.8 / 100 WhiskeyRating's Score
Pros
Very strong Rye flavor, appreciated by Rye lovers only.
Cons
Too young and too sour. Lack of depth. Unique, but unpleasant flavor profile.
Appearance
Aroma
Taste
Palette/Feel
Finish
Value

Size: 750ml
Type: Whiskey
Varietal: Rye
Country: United States
Region: Loudoun County, Virginia
Proof: 80

Binny’s Price: unavailable
Distiller’s Suggested Price $45

Acquired: The author bought his own at Enoteca in NYC

Barrel/lot sampled: BISA4J

Miley’s Measure®
Neat: 5/10
Manhattan: 3/10

When I travel, I like to try brands I don’t often see at home, so I was more than happy to listen to Brian at Enoteca (http://www.winedisciplesenoteca.com) who suggested I try the Roundstone Rye from Catoctin Creek out of Virginia. While I am glad I tried it, I can’t say I agree with other reviewers about the quality. Those reviewers must like really peaty Scotches and dirty river water. To each his own, but I didn’t care for it neat and I liked it less in a Manhattan. To say I didn’t like it doesn’t capture the visceral reaction I had when I tasted it and I’m sure I must have looked like one of those toddlers trying lemons for the first time. Obviously, it wasn’t my ideal flavor profile.

I was so hopeful when I first picked up this medium amber, almost dark rye. Then I smelled it and got my first hint that this was a very different spirit. My first reaction was that it had a very strong, almost peaty nose which was super strong in rye. I could understand that since it’s 100% rye mash. Yet, it seemed to lack depth in it’s other flavors and I just couldn’t get past the rye smell.

A sip brought no tongue burn. Again, this makes sense given it’s only 80 proof. What little initial flavor there was quite rye forward and brought a strong, dry finish that turned sour after a bit. It’s lack of depth is consistent with a 100% rye aged for less then two years in Minnesota white oak barrels.

Last Call…

I think it is too young and too sour which is too bad. You -really- have to like rye to like this whiskey, so perhaps rye lovers will put up the $45, but I don’t see myself ordering this the next time I’m at Enoteca.

UPDATE: When I first tried Roundstone and wrote this review, I hadn’t yet learned much about rye. Now that I’ve tried many more and learned to enjoy them, I decided to re-visit Roundstone with an open mind and more-experienced tongue. My second review is short and simple: I was being generous in the first review.

There will not be a third review.

 

 

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